Sixt holds a wide lead for guaranteed specific model rentals, particularly across its luxury vehicles and airport locations. Other providers like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar reserve model guarantees for their specialty or premium fleets.
Specialty and Luxury Tiers (SIXT ): SIXT offers a Guaranteed Model Car Rental option, but it is strictly restricted to their Specialty Cars and high-end/luxury groups (such as specific sports cars like a Ford Mustang GT). Standard fleet categories with SIXT remain "or similar".[](https://www.sixt.com/fleet/guaranteed-model-rental/)
Curated Collections (Hertz ): Hertz features specific tiers like the Prestige Collection (luxury/performance models) and the Adrenaline / Fun Collections in select markets where the exact make and model booked is explicitly reservable and guaranteed, rather than just a class category. Keep in mind that availability varies significantly by pickup city.[](https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/gaq/templates/common/vehicleOverlays.jsp)
If you let me know what specific model or type of car you are looking for and your pickup location , I can help you check which of these options carries it locally.
Yes — there are car rental companies that let you reserve a specific make and model instead of a vehicle class labeled “or similar.” The key is to choose a booking explicitly marked Guaranteed Model, Model Choice, or a similar exact-vehicle option. A picture of a car on a normal rental listing does not necessarily mean that car is guaranteed.
For U.S. rentals, I'd start with these options.
Best places to start
1. SIXT
(Best starting point)
SIXT offers a Guaranteed Model option at selected U.S. locations for certain specialty vehicles, including selected SUVs, convertibles and sports cars. When that option is available and confirmed, you get the model you selected rather than just a vehicle class. Standard bookings still use “or similar.”
Europcar offers a Model Choice option at selected locations and for a limited range of vehicles. Its published booking guidance says this option guarantees the specific make and model selected. Be careful not to confuse it with “Premium Brand Guaranteed,” which guarantees a brand category, not necessarily an exact model.
Best for: finding a specific model where Model Choice is offered.
Hertz's general policy is to reserve vehicle classes, but it identifies exceptions for its Prestige Collection at participating locations and certain Gold+ programs that specifically allow make-and-model reservations. Check the precise terms of the selected vehicle before paying.
Best for: selected premium vehicles and eligible reservation programs.
The listing names the exact model you want, not just a class or brand.
The reservation confirmation explicitly says the model is guaranteed.
The terms explain what happens if that model is unavailable at pickup.
I can narrow this down to actual rental locations and vehicles available for your trip. Where will you be picking up the car, and which make or model are you looking for? For example, a Toyota RAV4, Jeep Wrangler, Tesla Model Y, or a particular luxury car.
If you want to rent a vehicle and guarantee you get the exact make and model you booked—not just a vehicle in the same class—you need a rental company that offers a guaranteed-model reservation or a service that lets you choose a specific vehicle from its actual inventory.
The important distinction is that many traditional rental companies let you select a model on the booking page but still reserve the right to substitute another vehicle. A photograph or model name alone isn't a guarantee.
Best companies to check
1. SIXT — best overall starting point
(Exact-model option)
SIXT offers a Guaranteed Model program at selected locations in the US, including some airport locations. It covers select specialty vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Mustang GT and certain luxury cars. You must book an explicitly marked guaranteed-model vehicle and receive confirmation. Availability varies by branch and date.
Europcar advertises a Model Choice option that guarantees the specific make and model selected. It's available only at certain locations and for a limited selection of vehicles, so check the terms for your particular reservation.
Hertz allows specific make-and-model reservations through its Prestige Collection at participating locations, with some additional model-specific options for eligible Gold+ members. This is not a blanket guarantee across its regular fleet; model year and other specifications may still vary.
Turo is another option worth considering because you select an individual vehicle listing rather than simply choosing a rental-car class. Check the listing and host's terms carefully, since the precise vehicle is not necessarily immune to cancellations or replacement issues.
Look for the words “Guaranteed Model” or “Model Choice” in the actual rate and reservation terms.
Get written confirmation that the exact make and model are guaranteed—not merely requested.
Check what happens if the vehicle becomes unavailable; ask whether you can cancel without penalty or receive a refund.
Don't assume selecting a specific car in an app guarantees it will be waiting for you. Some services let you choose from available vehicles shortly before pickup, which is different from a guaranteed reservation.
I can narrow this down for your trip
Which city or airport will you pick up the vehicle from, and what exact model do you want?
With those two details, I can look for the providers that offer a genuine model guarantee at your location, rather than just promising a similar vehicle.
The primary options that offer a make-and-model guarantee include:
Sixt (Specialty Car Groups): Sixt explicitly offers a Guaranteed Model Car Rental option. This applies specifically to their specialty and luxury car groups (such as a GT ), ensuring that the exact vehicle shown and booked is the one waiting for you at the counter.[]()
If you want to reserve a specific make and model of rental car and avoid being handed a different vehicle in the same class, look for rental services that offer guaranteed-model reservations rather than the usual “Toyota Camry or similar” arrangement.
The key distinction is that many traditional rental companies guarantee a vehicle category, not the exact car. Even if you select a particular model online, the contract may allow a substitute.
Here are the options I'd investigate first, depending on whether you want an everyday car, a luxury vehicle, or something sporty.
My top recommendations
1. SIXT
(Best overall starting point)
SIXT offers a Guaranteed Model option at select U.S. locations for specific specialty vehicles, including selected sports cars, convertibles and SUVs. You must choose a listing explicitly marked as guaranteed; an ordinary luxury-car booking does not guarantee the exact model.
Hertz offers exact make-and-model reservations through certain specialty programs, including the Prestige Collection and eligible make/model reservation options. Availability depends on the participating location and vehicle.
Turo is worth considering if you want to select an individual vehicle listing rather than a fleet category. You can choose a listing for the specific model you want, but the experience depends on the host, so review the cancellation and replacement arrangements before booking.
Look for explicit wording: “Guaranteed model,” “exact model,” or “Model Choice.” “Or similar” means a substitute may be provided.
Get confirmation in writing: Ask what happens if the reserved model is unavailable at pickup, including whether you can decline a substitute and receive a refund.
Verify the specific location: A company may guarantee a model at one branch but not another.
Let me narrow it down for you
What specific car are you hoping to rent, and in what city or airport? I can look for services that offer a genuine model guarantee for that vehicle, rather than just a similar car.
